5-HT7 receptor antagonists

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to compounds having pharmacological activity towards the 5-HT7 receptor, and more particularly to some some 2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen substituted sulfonamide compounds, to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use for the treatment and or prophylaxis of a disease in which 5-HT is involved, such as CNS disorders.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds having pharmacologicalactivity towards the 5-HT7 receptor, and more particularly to some2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen substituted sulfonamidecompounds, to processes of preparation of such compounds, topharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use intherapy, in particular for the treatment and or prophylaxis of a diseasein which 5-HT₇ is involved, such as CNS disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The search for new therapeutic agents has been greatly aided in recentyears by better understanding of the structure of proteins and otherbiomolecules associated with target diseases. One important class ofproteins that has been the subject of extensive study is the family of5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) receptors. The 5-HT₇ receptordiscovered in 1993 belongs to this family and has attracted greatinterest as a valuable new drug target (Terrón, J. A. Idrugs, 1998, vol.1, no. 3, pages 302-310: “The 5HT ₇ receptor: A target for noveltherapeutic avenues?”).

5-HT₇ receptors have been cloned from rat, mouse, guinea pig and humancDNA and exhibit a high degree of interspecies homology (approx. 95%),but it is unique in that it has a low sequence homology with other 5-HTreceptors (less than 40%). Its expression pattern, in particularstructures of the central nervous system (CNS) (highest in hypothalamus(in particular suprachiasmatic nuclei) and thalamus) and otherperipheral tissues (spleen, kidney, intestinal, heart and coronaryarthery), implicates the 5-HT₇ receptor in a variety of functions andpathologies. This idea is reinforced by the fact that severaltherapeutic agents, such as tricyclic antidepressants, typical andatypical antipsychotics and some 5-HT₂ receptor antagonists, displaymoderate to high affinity for both recombinant and functional 5-HT₇receptors.

Functionally, the 5-HT₇ receptor has been implicated in regulation ofcircadian rhythms in mammals (Lovenberg, T. W. et al. Neuron, 1993,11:449-458 “A novel adenylyl cyclase-activating serotonin receptor (5-HT₇) implicated in the regulation of circadian rhythms”). It is known thatdisruption of circadian rhythms is related to a number of CNS disordersincluding depression, seasonal affective disorder, sleep disorders,shift worker syndrome and jet lag among others.

Distribution and early pharmacological data also suggest that the 5-HT₇receptor is involved in the vasodilatation of blood vessels. This hasbeen demonstrated in vivo (Terrón, J. A., Br J Pharmacol, 1997,121:563-571 “Role of 5-HT ₇ receptors in the long lasting hypotensiveresponse induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine in the rat”). Thus selective5-HT₇ receptor agonists have a potential as novel hypertensive agents.

The 5-HT₇ receptor has also been related with the pathophysiology ofmigraine through smooth muscle relaxation of cerebral vessels(Schoeffter, P. et al., 1996, Br J Pharmacol, 117:993-994; Terrón, J.A., 2002, Eur. J. Pharmacol., 439:1-11 “Is the 5-HT ₇ receptor involvedin the pathogenesis and prophylactic treatment of migraine?”). In asimilar manner, involvement of 5-HT₇ in intestinal and colon tissuesmooth muscle relaxation makes this receptor a target for the treatmentof irritable bowel syndrome (De Ponti, F. et al. , 2001, Drugs,61:317-332 “Irritable bowel syndrome. New agents targeting serotoninreceptor subtypes”). Recently, it has also been related to urinaryincontinence (British J. of Pharmacology, September 2003, 140(1) 53-60:“Evidence for the involvement of central 5HT-7 receptors in themicurition reflex in anaeshetized female rats”).

In view of the potential therapeutic applications of agonists orantagonists of the 5HT₇ receptor, a great effort has been directed tofind selective ligands. Despite intense research efforts in this area,very few compounds with selective 5-HT₇ antagonist activity have beenreported (Wesolowska, A., Polish J. Pharmacol., 2002, 54: 327-341, “Inthe search for selective ligands of 5-HT ₅, 5-HT ₆ and 5-HT ₇ serotoninreceptors”).

WO 97/48681 discloses sulfonamide derivatives, which are 5-HT₇ receptorantagonists, for the treatment of CNS disorders. The sulphur atom islinked to an aromatic group and to a N-containing heterocyclic group,optionally containing a further heteroatom selected from oxygen orsulphur.

WO 97/29097 describes sulfonamide derivatives for the treatment ofdisorders in which antagonism of the 5-HT₇ receptor is beneficial. Thesulphur atom is linked to an aromatic group and to a C₁-C₆ alkylsubstituted N atom.

WO97/49695 describes further sulfonamide derivatives in which the Nlinked to the sulphur atom is also fully substituted, for exampleforming part of a piperidine.

WO 03/048118 describes another group of 5HT₇ receptor antagonists. Inthis case aryl and heteroaryl sulfonamide derivatives wherein thesulfonamide group is a substituent on a cycloalkane or cycloalkene ringwhich additionally bears an amino susbtituent. The N linked to sulphuratom is fully substituted.

WO99/24022 discloses tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives for use againstCNS disorders and binding to serotonin receptors, in particular 5-HT₇.

WO 00/00472 refers to compounds which are 5-HT7 receptor antagonists.The compounds contain a N-containing fused heterocycle such astetrahydroisoquinoline.

EP 21580 and EP 76072 describe sulfonamide compounds havingantiarrhythmic activity, corresponding to the formulaR₂N(CH₂)_(n)—NH—SO₂R₁, 5-HT₇ activity is not mentioned.

EP 937715 A1 refers to a tetrahydrobenzoindole compound that bindsselectively to a serotonin receptor subtype 5-HT₇ vs 5-HT2.

There is still a need to find compounds that have pharmacologicalactivity towards the receptor 5-HT₇, being both effective and selective,and having good “drugability” properties, i.e. good pharmaceuticalproperties related to administration, distribution, metabolism andexcretion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have now found a family of structurally distinct class of sulfonamidecompounds which are particularly selective inhibitors of the 5-HT₇receptor. The compounds present a2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen moiety, linked through astraight alkylene chain with a sulfonamide moiety. We have found thatthe compounds display IC-50 values in the nM range 1-200 nM at human5-HT7 receptors and exhibit selectivity for these receptors vs 5-HT1A,5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, 5-HT3, 5-HT4, 5-HT5A, D1, D2, D3, D4, adrenergicα1A, α1B, α1B, β1, and β2 receptors.

In one aspect the invention is directed to a compound of the formula I:

wherein

-   W is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or    unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,    substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted    heterocyclyl;-   R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵, R^(5B), R⁶ and R⁷ are each independently    selected from the group formed by hydrogen, substituted or    unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,    substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted    aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, —COR⁸, —C(O)OR⁸,    —C(O)NR⁸R⁹, —HC═NR⁸, —CN, —OR⁸, —OC(O)R⁸, —S(O)_(t)—R⁸, —NR⁸R⁹,    —NR⁸C(O)R⁹, —NO2, —N═CR⁸R⁹ or halogen;-   L is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or    unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl,    substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted    heterocyclyl, —COR⁸, —C(O)OR⁸, —C(O)NR⁸R⁹, —HC═NR⁸, —CN, —OR⁸,    —OC(O)R⁸, —S(O)_(t)—R⁸, —NR⁸R⁹, —NR⁸C(O)R⁹, or —N═CR⁸R⁹; and the    pair R⁴ and R^(4B) or the pair R⁵ and R^(5B) taken together may form    a carbonyl group, t is 1,2 or 3;-   R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently selected from hydrogen, substituted    or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,    substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted    aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or    unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy, halogen;-   n is 2, 3, 4 or 5;    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, isomer, prodrug or solvate    thereof.

In another aspect the invention is directed to a pharmaceuticalcomposition which comprises a compound as above defined or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, prodrug or solvatethereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle.

In a further aspect the invention is directed to the use of a compoundas defined above in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment ofa 5-HT₇ mediated disease or condition, i.e. diseases caused by failuresin central and peripheral serotonin-controlling functions, such as pain,sleep disorder, shift worker syndrome, jet lag, depression, seasonalaffective disorder, migraine, anxiethy, psychosis, schizophrenia,cognition and memory disorders, neuronal degeneration resulting fromischemic events, cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, irritablebowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, spastic colon or urinaryincontinence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The typical compounds of this invention effectively and selectivelyinhibit the 5-HT7 receptor vs other 5-HT receptors such as 5-HT1A,5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, 5-HT3, 5-HT4, 5-HT5A, D1, D2, D3, D4, adrenergicα1A, α1B, α1B, β1, and β2 receptors, Tachykinin NK-1 opiate, GABA,estrogen, glutamate, adenosine, nicotinic, muscarinic receptors andcalcium, potassium and sodium channels and neurotransmitter transporters(serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA).

In the above definition of compounds of formula (I) the following termshave the meaning indicated:

“Alkyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radicalconsisting of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing no saturation,having one to eight carbon atoms, and which is attached to the rest ofthe molecule by a single bond, e. g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl,n-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, etc. Alkyl radicals may be optionallysubstituted by one or more substituents such as a aryl, halo, hydroxy,alkoxy, carboxy, cyano, carbonyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, amino, nitro,mercapto, alkylthio, etc. If substituted by aryl we have an “Aralkyl”radical, such as benzyl and phenethyl.

“Alkenyl” refers to an alkyl radical having at least 2 C atoms andhaving one or more unsaturated bonds.

“Cycloalkyl” refers to a stable 3- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclicradical which is saturated or partially saturated, and which consistsolely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, such as cyclohexyl or adamantyl.Unless otherwise stated specifically in the specification, the term“cycloalkyl” is meant to include cycloalkyl radicals which areoptionally substituted by one or more substituents such as alkyl, halo,hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, etc.

“Aryl” refers to single and multiple ring radicals, including multiplering radicals that contain separate and/or fused aryl groups. Typicalaryl groups contain from 1 to 3 separated or fused rings and from 6 toabout 18 carbon ring atoms, such as phenyl, naphthyl, indenyl,fenanthryl or anthracyl radical. The aryl radical may be optionallysubstituted by one or more substituents such as hydroxy, mercapto, halo,alkyl, phenyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, nitro, cyano, dialkylamino,aminoalkyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, etc.

“Heterocyclyl” refers to a stable 3- to 15 membered ring radical whichconsists of carbon atoms and from one to five heteroatoms selected fromthe group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, preferably a 4- to8-membered ring with one or more heteroatoms, more preferably a 5- or6-membered ring with one or more heteroatoms. For the purposes of thisinvention, the heterocycle may be a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclicring system, which may include fused ring systems; and the nitrogen,carbon or sulfur atoms in the heterocyclyl radical may be optionallyoxidised; the nitrogen atom may be optionally quaternized; and theheterocyclyl radical may be partially or fully saturated or aromatic.Examples of such heterocycles include, but are not limited to, azepines,benzimidazole, benzothiazole, furan, isothiazole, imidazole, indole,piperidine, piperazine, purine, quinoline, thiadiazole, tetrahydrofuran,coumarine, morpholine; pyrrole, pyrazole, oxazole, isoxazole, triazole,imidazole, etc.

“Alkoxy” refers to a radical of the formula —ORa where Ra is an alkylradical as defined above, e. g., methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, etc.

“Alkoxycarbonyl” refers to a radical of the formula —C(O)ORa where Ra isan alkyl radical as defined above, e. g., methoxycarbonyl,ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, etc.

“Alkylthio” refers to a radical of the formula —SRa where Ra is an alkylradical as defined above, e. g., methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, etc.

“Amino” refers to a radical of the formula —NH2, —NHRa or —NRaRb,optionally quaternized.

“Halo” or “hal” refers to bromo, chloro, iodo or fluoro.

References herein to substituted groups in the compounds of the presentinvention refer to the specified moiety that may be substituted at oneor more available positions by one or more suitable groups, e. g.,halogen such as fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo; cyano; hydroxyl; nitro;azido; alkanoyl such as a C1-6 alkanoyl group such as acyl and the like;carboxamido; alkyl groups including those groups having 1 to about 12carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and more preferably 1-3carbon atoms; alkenyl and alkynyl groups including groups having one ormore unsaturated linkages and from 2 to about 12 carbon or from 2 toabout 6 carbon atoms; alkoxy groups having one or more oxygen linkagesand from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or 1 to about 6 carbon atoms;aryloxy such as phenoxy; alkylthio groups including those moietieshaving one or more thioether linkages and from 1 to about 12 carbonatoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; alkylsulfinyl groups includingthose moieties having one or more sulfinyl linkages and from 1 to about12 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; alkylsulfonyl groupsincluding those moieties having one or more sulfonyl linkages and from 1to about 12 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; aminoalkylgroups such as groups having one or more N atoms and from 1 to about 12carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; carbocylic aryl having 6or more carbons, particularly phenyl or naphthyl and aralkyl such asbenzyl. Unless otherwise indicated, an optionally substituted group mayhave a substituent at each substitutable position of the group, and eachsubstitution is independent of the other.

Particular individual compounds of the invention include the compounds1-86 in the examples, either as salts or as free bases.

In an embodiment the 2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen in thecompounds of formula I above is not substituted, R¹ to R⁷ are all H.Good activity results are obtained with such compounds.

In another embodiment R² and R³ are alkoxy, preferably methoxy and therest of the substitutents of the2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen (R¹ and R⁴ to R⁷) are H.

In another embodiment R² is alkoxy, preferably methoxy and the rest ofthe substitutents of the 2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen (R¹and R³ to R⁷) are H.

In another embodiment the group W linked to the sulfonamide is aromatic,such as substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl, preferably substituted or unsubstituted phenyl. Goodresults were obtained when W is alkyl, alkoxy and/or halo substitutedphenyl. In particular halo substituted phenyl, having one or more halosubstituents being the same or different are preferred.

In another embodiment it is important that n is 3 or 4.

The above embodiments and preferences for W, R¹ to R⁷ and n can becombined to give further preferred compounds.

Representative compounds of the above embodiments which are preferredare4-Chloro-2,5-dimethyl-N-[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-ben-zenesulfonamidehydrochloride,2,5-Dichloro-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride,2,5-Dichloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride,2-Chloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-4,5-difluoro-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride.

The compounds of the present invention represented by the abovedescribed formula (I) may include enantiomers depending on the presenceof chiral centres or isomers depending on the presence of multiple bonds(e.g. Z, E). The single isomers, enantiomers or diastereoisomers andmixtures thereof fall within the scope of the present invention.

Unless otherwise stated, the compounds of the invention are also meantto include compounds which differ only in the presence of one or moreisotopically enriched atoms.

For example, compounds having the present structures except for thereplacement of a hydrogen by a deuterium or tritium, or the replacementof a carbon by a ¹³C— or ¹⁴C-enriched carbon or ¹⁵N-enriched nitrogenare within the scope of this invention.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, prodrugs” refersto any pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, solvate, or any othercompound which, upon administration to the recipient is capable ofproviding (directly or indirectly) a compound as described herein.However, it will be appreciated that non-pharmaceutically acceptablesalts also fall within the scope of the invention since those may beuseful in the preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Thepreparation of salts, prodrugs and derivatives can be carried out bymethods known in the art.

For instance, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds providedherein are synthesized from the parent compound which contains a basicor acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods. Generally, such saltsare, for example, prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms ofthese compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base oracid in water or in an organic solvent or in a mixture of the two.

Generally, nonaqueous media like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol,isopropanol or acetonitrile are preferred. Examples of the acid additionsalts include mineral acid addition salts such as, for example,hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate,and organic acid addition salts such as, for example, acetate, maleate,fumarate, citrate, oxalate, succinate, tartrate, malate, mandelate,methanesulphonate and p-toluenesulphonate. Examples of the alkaliaddition salts include inorganic salts such as, for example, sodium,potassium, calcium, ammonium, magnesium, aluminium and lithium salts,and organic alkali salts such as, for example, ethylenediamine,ethanolamine, N,N-dialkylenethanolamine, triethanolamine, glucamine andbasic aminoacids salts.

Particularly favored derivatives or prodrugs are those that increase thebioavailability of the compounds of this invention when such compoundsare administered to a patient (e.g., by allowing an orally administeredcompound to be more readily absorbed into the blood) or which enhancedelivery of the parent compound to a biological compartment (e.g., thebrain or lymphatic system) relative to the parent species.

Any compound that is a prodrug of a compound of formula (I) is withinthe scope of the invention. The term “prodrug” is used in its broadestsense and encompasses those derivatives that are converted in vivo tothe compounds of the invention. Such derivatives would readily occur tothose skilled in the art, and include, depending on the functionalgroups present in the molecule and without limitation, the followingderivatives of the present compounds: esters, amino acid esters,phosphate esters, metal salts sulfonate esters, carbamates, and amides.

The compounds of the invention may be in crystalline form either as freecompounds or as solvates and it is intended that both forms are withinthe scope of the present invention. Methods of solvation are generallyknown within the art. Suitable solvates are pharmaceutically acceptablesolvates. In a particular embodiment the solvate is a hydrate.

The compounds of formula (I) or their salts or solvates are preferablyin pharmaceutically acceptable or substantially pure form. Bypharmaceutically acceptable form is meant, inter alia, having apharmaceutically acceptable level of purity excluding normalpharmaceutical additives such as diluents and carriers, and including nomaterial considered toxic at normal dosage levels. Purity levels for thedrug substance are preferably above 50%, more preferably above 70%, mostpreferably above 90%. In a preferred embodiment it is above 95% of thecompound of formula (I), or of its salts, solvates or prodrugs.

The compounds of formula (I) defined above can be obtained by availablesynthetic procedures.

For example they can be prepared by the coupling of a compound ofFormula (II):

in which R¹—R⁷, L and n are as defined in Formula (I), with a compoundof Formula (III):

in which W is as defined in Formula (I) and X is an halogen, typicallyCl.

The reaction of compounds of formulas (II) and (III) is preferablycarried out in an aprotic solvent, but not limited to, such asdichloromethane in the presence of an organic base, such asdiisopropylethylamine or triethylamine.

Compounds of Formula (III) are commercially available or can be preparedby conventional methods.

Compounds of Formula (II) can be prepared from compounds of Formula (IV)or compounds of Formula (V) using the reactions described below.

The preparation of these two compounds, are later described in the text.

Compounds of Formula (II) from Compounds of Formula (IV):

If L=CH₂L′ compounds of Formula (IV) can be acylated with a carboxylicacid derivative (L′COX), where X is a good leaving group, such ashalogen (Cl or Br) or with an anhydride of L′ (L′COOCOL′), followed by areduction (Scheme 1). The acylation can be done in the presence of anappropriate base, such as pyridine and a solvent such asdichloromethane, or using a bifasic system consisting of a mixture ofdichloromethane/water using an inorganic base such as NaHCO₃. Thereduction of the carbonyl group can be afforded by an hydride, such asLiAlH₄.

If L is alkyl or cycloalkyl, compounds of Formula (II) can also beobtained by an alkylation of IV with a variety of alkyl compoundscontaining a good leaving group such as Br, I, aryl or alkylsulfonat, inthe presence of an appropriate base and solvent, as shown in Scheme 2.Useful bases include, but are not limited to, metal carbonates orbicarbonates (NaHCO₃, K₂CO₃) Typical solvents include polar aproticliquids such as DMF or THF.

If L is aryl or heteroaryl, the N-arylation can be achieved by a crosscoupling reaction with X-L, where X is a halogen or alkyl or arylsulfonate, using a catalytic system consisting of a metal, such as Pd,Cu and a ligand such as phosphine, in the presence of a dry solvent suchas toluene or dioxane and an appropriate base such as Cs₂CO₃ or tBuOK(Scheme 3).

Compounds of Formula (II) from Compounds of Formula (V):

The synthesis can be done in a sequential way by treatment of the amineof Formula (V) with a dialkylating agent (VI) in the presence of a basein an appropriate solvent, followed by the alkylation of a primary aminesubstituted with L (VII). This sequence is illustred in Scheme 4.

Examples of useful alkylating agents are those where Y is a good toexcellent leaving group, such as Br, I, aryl or alkylsulfonat, etc. andX is a good leaving group, such as Br or Cl. Useful bases include, butare not limited to, metal carbonates such as K₂CO₃ or Cs₂CO₃, metalhydroxides, hindered alkoxides or tertiary organic amines. Typicalsolvents include polar aprotic liquids such as DMF or THF, or proticliquids such as alcohols. The rate of the second alkylation may beenhaced, particulary when X is Cl, by the addition of a catalytic amountof a iodide salt, such as NaI or KI.

Compounds of Formula (II) can also be prepared from compounds of Formula(V) by an alkylation with a secondary amine substituted with L and withan alkyl chain containing a good leaving group, such as Br, I, alkyl oraryl sulfonate, etc (VIII). In Scheme 5, the amino group of VIII shouldbe protected to avoid side reactions. Some examples of protecting groupsinclude a variety of carbamates, such as BOC; Fmoc, etc. a variety ofamides, such as acetamides, and alkyl and aryl amine derivatives, suchas N-benzyl, N-allyl, etc. Deprotection of these protecting groups maybe performed using conventional methods. The alkylation can be doneusing the same solvents and bases described above.

Another way to some compounds of Formula (II) from compounds of Formula(V) (Scheme 6) can be by an alkylation with haloalkylamides (IX) in anappropriate solvent and base, the same as are cited in Schemes above.Intermediate (X) may be reduced in the presence of a hydride, such asLiAlH₄ or borane.

Preparation of Compounds of Formula (V):

Amines of Formula (V) can be prepared by methods and techniquesdescribed below. References for cited described methods areincorporated.

A variety of substituted compounds of Formula (V) shown in Scheme 7 canbe achieved from compounds of Formula (Va). Total reduction from thisketone by hydrogenation at high pressure in the presence of concentratedacid, such as HCl, or with hydrazine in a Wolff-Kischner reaction, orusing Clemensen-type conditions with HCl and Zn can lead to compounds ofFormula (Vb). Partial reduction with an hydride, such as NaBH₄, can leadto the alcohol of Formula (Vc), which can also be reduced to compoundsof Formula (Vb) by a hydrogenation.

The introduction of substitution in the ketone (Va) can be done, amongothers, by a nucleophilic attack with organometallics, such as lithiumreagents (R^(4B)Li) to yield the compound (Vd), by reductive aminationwith an amine (RR′NH) and an hydride such as NaBH(OAc)₃ to yield (Ve),or by C—C bond formation with phosphonium ylides o phosphonates in aWittig-type reaction to yield (Vf) Some of these methods need theprotection of the amino group. The protecting groups used can be thosewhich have been descrived above. All these compounds can be furtherderivatized using conventional organic reactions.

Compounds of Formula (Va) can be obtained from a β-aminoacid (XI) by aFriedel-Crafts acylation (Scheme 8). This acylation can be carried outin the presence of a strong acid, such as polyphosphoric acid,methanesulfonic acid or a Lewis acid, such as AlCl₃ at high temperature(100-200° C.). Unsubstituted compound of Formula (Va),2a,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-2H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-1-one, can be prepared from2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl)acetic acid, according the methodsdescribed in J. Org. Chem. 1987, 52, 616-622 and in Heterocycles, 1989,29(12), 2399-2402. Nevertheless, these methods have been improved by theuse of microwave radiation instead of conventional heating (see exampleslater in the text).

The β-aminoacid (XI) can be prepared by a sequential or one-potsynthesis starting from substituted phenylethyl amines.

The multi-step synthesis (Scheme 9) can start with a Pictet-Spenglerreaction with formaldehyde to yield a substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline(XII). The oxidation of the benzylic position a to the N can be achievedby a bromination with NBS followed by an elimination in the presence ofa base to yield a substituted dihydroisoquinoline (XIII). An aldolicreaction with a α,α-disubstituted acetic acid with R⁵ and R^(5B) canlead to the β-aminoacid (XI).

This reaction is especially favoured when a substituted malonic acid isused, because of a decarboxylation process at high temperature (100-150°C.), but then, only one substitution (R⁵ or R^(5B)) can be introduced.The other substitution has to be necessarily a H, as shown in Scheme 10.

The one-pot synthesis can also be performed by a Pictet-Spenglerreaction, in the presence of 3-oxopropanoic acid derivativeα,α-disubstituted with R⁵ and R^(5B) (Scheme 11)

Other possible way to compounds of Formula (V) is starting from aphenylethyl amine and a malonic acid derivative α,α-disubstituted withR⁵ and R^(5B) by a Bischler-Napieralsky reaction, as shown in Scheme 12.The selective reduction of the double bond of the resultingdihydroisoquinoline can lead to the desired compounds, which could befurther derivatized.

Where convenient, a variety of substituted compounds of Formula (V) canbe achieved from compounds of Formula (XIV) by the multi-step synthesisshown in Scheme 13. Compounds of Formula (XIV) are commerciallyavailable or prepared by conventional methods.

The sequence can start with a reductive amination of compounds ofFormula (XIV) with an aminoketal substituted with R⁶ and R⁷. The use ofketals instead of unprotected aldehydes or ketones is convenient toavoid side-reactions, such as polymerization of the bifunctionalyzedamines. The reduction of the resulting imine (XV) by hydrogenation, leadto the aminoketal (XVI). The hydrolysis of the ketal in acid media, suchas hydrochloric acid lead to a keto compound (XVII) or directly to thedihydroisoquinoline (XVIII), which can be reduced by a hydrogenation toyield the desired compounds of Formula (V). The preparation by thismethod of the unsubstituted compound of Formula (Va),1,2,2a,3,4,5-Hexahydro-2H-3-aza-acenaphthylen, and the compoundsubstituted with R²═R³═OCH₃,7,8-Dimethoxy-1,2,2a,3,4,5-hexahydro-3-aza-acenaphthylene, is describedin J. Org. Chem. 1971, 36(1), 111-117.

When L=aryl or heteroaryl, compounds of Formula (I) can also be obtainedby the coupling of compunds of Formula (Ib), with an aryl or heteroarylcontaining an electrowithdrawing and good leaving group (Y), such as ahalogen or alkyl or aryl sulfonate, using catalytic cross couplingreaction conditions (Scheme 14). Compounds of Formula (Ib) can besynthesized by the coupling of compounds of Formula (IV) with compoundsof Formula (III) following the methods described for the preparation ofcompounds of Formula (I) when L=H.

Preparation of Compounds of Formula (IV):

Compounds of Formula (IV) can be prepared from compounds of Formula (V)using the reactions and techniques described below.

The reactions are performed in a solvent appropriate to the reagents andmaterials employed and suitable for the transformations. Thefunctionality present on the molecule should be consistent with thetransformations proposed. This will sometimes require a selection of aparticular process scheme over another in order to obtain the desiredcompound of the invention. Preferred methods included, but are notlimited to, those described below.

Compounds of Formula (IV) can be prepared by alkylation as shown inScheme 15.

In the first step, the amine of Formula (V) is allowed to react with acommercially available N-(n-haloalkyl)phtalimide (XIX) in the presenceof an appropriate base and solvent. Useful bases include, but are notlimited to, metal carbonates such as K₂CO₃ or Cs₂CO₃, metal hydroxides,hindered alkoxides or tertiary organic amines. Typical solvents includepolar aprotic liquids such as DMF or THF, or protic liquids such asalcohols. In a second step, the hydrazinolysis of the alkylated compound(XX) using hydrazine in a polar protic solvent, such as ethanol, andhydrochloric acid gives the desired compound of Formula (IV).

A similar route to compounds of Formula (IV) is illustrated in Scheme16.

The acylation of compounds of Formula (V) with carboxyalkylphtalimidesderivatives (XXI), instead of the alkylation withN-(n-haloalkyl)phtalimides (XIX), may be convenient in some cases. WhenX is a Cl or Br, or other good leaving group, the base used foracylation can be a tertiary organic amine such as triethylamine orN,N-diisopropylethylamine and the hydrazinolysis can be performed ascited in Scheme 15. When X is an OH, a coupling reagent must be used forthe activation of carboxy group. Many coupling reagents are known in theliterature to form amide bonds from carboxylic acids and amines,including DCC, HBTU, TBTU, BOP, PyBOP, etc. Appropriate bases for suchcoupling reactions include tertiary amines such asN,N-diisopropylethylamine, triethylamine, etc. The activated species areusually not isolated, but are allowed to react in situ with the aminepartner (V).

After the hydrazinolysis of phtalimide (XXII), the reduction of theamide intermediate (XXIII) may be performed with a reducing agent, suchas borane or lithium aluminum hydride in appropriate solvent, typicallyTHF.

A similar method to compounds of Formula (IV) is illustrated in Scheme17.

A reductive amination with phtalimidoalkylaldehydes (XXIV), following byhydrazinolysis may also be performed. Condensation of the amine (V) withaldehydes (XXIV) can be performed in the presence of a hydride, such assodium triacethoxyborohydride NaBH(OAc)₃ or sodium cyanoborhydride(NaBH₄CN). Phtalimide intermediate (XXV) is treated as is described inSchemes 15 and 16 in order to obtain the desired compound of Formula(IV).

In all these Schemes, other protecting groups for the nitrogen atom,instead of the phtalimide, may be used. Some examples include othercyclic imide derivatives, such as maleimides or succinimides, a varietyof carbamates, such as BOC (an example is illustred in Scheme 18); Fmoc,etc. a variety of amides, such as acetamides, and alkyl and aryl aminederivatives, such as N-benzyl, N-allyl, etc. Deprotection of theseprotecting groups may be performed using conventional methods.

Where convenient, compounds of Formula (IV) can be prepared as shown inScheme 19.

The alkylation of compounds of Formula (V) with commercially availablehaloalkylnitriles (XXVI) can be performed in the presence of a varietyof bases and solvents cited in schemes above. For the reduction of thecyano group of (XXVII), common reducing agents, such as LiAlH₄ in THF,can be used. A catalytic hydrogenation with Pd/C in ethanol is alsopossible.

In some cases, an acylation with carboxynitriles to form an amide ispreferred instead of the alkylation with the corresponding halonitriles(Scheme 20).

The acylation of compounds of Formula (V) with compounds of Formula(XXVIII), where X is a good leaving group, such as Cl or Br, is carriedout in the presence of an appropriate base and solvent, which weredescribed in schemes above. The reduction of cyano an keto group of XXIXcan be performed simultaneously in the presence of an excess of areducing agent such as LiAlH₄ or borane. When X is OH, a couplingreagent must also be used for the activation of carboxy group. Thecoupling reagents used are the same as are cited in Scheme 16.

Scheme 20 is also possible when X is an H. Reductive amination iscarried out by a condensation of amine of Formula (V) with aldehydeXXVIII in appropriate base and solvent, to form an imine or enamineintermediate, followed by a reduction with a reducing agent, such anhydride.

The Descriptions and Examples illustrate the preparation of compounds ofthe invention.

The obtained reaction products may, if desired, be purified byconventional methods, such as crystallisation, chromatography andtrituration. Where the above described processes for the preparation ofcompounds of the invention give rise to mixtures of stereoisomers, theseisomers may be separated by conventional techniques such as preparativechromatography. If there are chiral centers the compounds may beprepared in racemic form, or individual enantiomers may be preparedeither by enantiospecific synthesis or by resolution.

One preferred pharmaceutically acceptable form is the crystalline form,including such form in pharmaceutical composition. In the case of saltsand solvates the additional ionic and solvent moieties must also benon-toxic. The compounds of the invention may present differentpolymorphic forms, it is intended that the invention encompasses allsuch forms.

Another aspect of this invention relates to a method of treating orpreventing an 5-HT₇ mediated disease which method comprisesadministering to a patient in need of such a treatment a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceuticalcomposition thereof. Among the 5-HT₇ mediated diseases that can betreated are diseases caused by failures in central and peripheralserotonin-controlling functions, such as pain, sleep disorder, shiftworker syndrome, jet lag, depression, seasonal affective disorder,migraine, anxiethy, psychosis, schizophrenia, cognition and memorydisorders, neuronal degeneration resulting from ischemic events,cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome,inflammatory bowel disease, spastic colon or urinary incontinence.

The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositionscomprising a compound of this invention, or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, derivative, prodrug or stereoisomers thereof togetherwith a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, or vehicle, foradministration to a patient.

Examples of pharmaceutical compositions include any solid (tablets,pills, capsules, granules etc.) or liquid (solutions, suspensions oremulsions) composition for oral, topical or parenteral administration.

In a preferred embodiment the pharmaceutical compositions are in oralform, either solid or liquid. Suitable dose forms for oraladministration may be tablets, capsules, syrops or solutions and maycontain conventional excipients known in the art such as binding agents,for example syrup, acacia, gelatin, sorbitol, tragacanth, orpolyvinylpyrrolidone; fillers, for example lactose, sugar, maize starch,calcium phosphate, sorbitol or glycine; tabletting lubricants, forexample magnesium stearate; disintegrants, for example starch,polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium starch glycollate or microcrystallinecellulose; or pharmaceutically acceptable wetting agents such as sodiumlauryl sulfate.

The solid oral compositions may be prepared by conventional methods ofblending, filling or tabletting. Repeated blending operations may beused to distribute the active agent throughout those compositionsemploying large quantities of fillers. Such operations are conventionalin the art. The tablets may for example be prepared by wet or drygranulation and optionally coated according to methods well known innormal pharmaceutical practice, in particular with an enteric coating.

The pharmaceutical compositions may also be adapted for parenteraladministration, such as sterile solutions, suspensions or lyophilizedproducts in the apropriate unit dosage form. Adequate excipients can beused, such as bulking agents, buffering agents or surfactants.

The mentioned formulations will be prepared using standard methods suchas those described or referred to in the Spanish and US Pharmacopoeiasand similar reference texts.

Administration of the compounds or compositions of the present inventionmay be by any suitable method, such as intravenous infusion, oralpreparations, and intraperitoneal and intravenous administration. Oraladministration is preferred because of the convenience for the patientand the chronic character of the diseases to be treated.

Generally an effective administered amount of a compound of theinvention will depend on the relative efficacy of the compound chosen,the severity of the disorder being treated and the weight of thesufferer. However, active compounds will typically be administered onceor more times a day for example 1, 2, 3 or 4 times daily, with typicaltotal daily doses in the range of from 0.1 to 1000 mg/kg/day.

The compounds and compositions of this invention may be used with otherdrugs to provide a combination therapy. The other drugs may form part ofthe same composition, or be provided as a separate composition foradministration at the same time or at different time.

The following examples are given only as further illustration of theinvention, they should not be taken as a definition of the limits of theinvention.

EXAMPLES

The starting materials of general formula (I) were prepared by means ofconventional organic chemistry methods known to those skilled in theart. The preparation of some of the intermediates of general formulas(V), (IV) and (II) is shown below:

Example A

This is an example of a compound of general Formula (Va).2a,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-2H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-1-one can be prepared from2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl)acetic acid, according the methodsdescribed in J. Org. Chem. 1987, 52, 616-622 and in Heterocycles, 1989,29(12), 2399-2402, which are hereby incorporated by reference and formpart of the disclosure. Nevertheless, these methods were improved by theuse of microwave radiation instead of conventional heating.

2a,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-2H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-1-one

Polyphosphoric acid (30 g) was added to a suspension of2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl)acetic acid (2 g) in1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (6 ml) and the mixture was allowed to react ina CEM Explorer microwave apparatus working at 150° C. and at 150 W for45 min. The crude was poured to a mixture of ice/water to destroy thePPA, made alkaline with 25% ammonia and extracted with dichloromethane.The combined organic layers were dried with Na₂SO₄ and evaporated invacuo to afford a brown solid (1.7 g, 94% yield), which was purified bysilicagel chromatography using a gradient of dichloromethane/methanol toafford a light brown solid identified as2a,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-2H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-1-one.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ ppm 2.47 (dd, J=17.13, 6.30 Hz, 1 H)2.55 (s, 1 H) 2.90 (m, 2 H) 2.99 (dd, J=17.06, 6.66 Hz, 1 H) 3.25 (ddd,J=12.70, 9.11, 7.32 Hz, 1 H) 3.44 (ddd, J=12.74, 5.56, 3.22 Hz, 1 H)4.21 (t, J=6.37 Hz, 1 H) 7.29 (m, 2 H) 7.45 (t, J=4.25 Hz, 1 H)

MS (APCI (M+H)⁺): 174

Example B

This is an example of a compound of general Formula (V).1,2,2a,3,4,5-Hexahydro-3-aza-acenaphthylen can be prepared according themethod described in J. Med. Chem. 1988, 31(2), 433-443, or according themethod described in Heterocycles, 1989, 29(12), 2399-2402, which arehereby incorporated by reference and form part of the disclosure. Thesemethods have been slightly modified in order to obtain a better yield inonly one step.

1,2,2a,3,4,5-Hexahydro-3-aza-acenaphthylene hydrochloride

A solution of 2a,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-2H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-1-one (2 g,11.5 mmol) in 6 N hydrochloric acid (150 ml) containing 10% Pd/C washydrogenated at 50 psi of H₂ for 24 h. The catalyst was filtered, thesolution was basified with 20% NaOH and extracted with dichloromethane(3×150 ml). The organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentratedto dryness to afford a colorless oil (1.6 g, 85% yield) identified as1,2,2a,3,4,5-Hexahydro-3-aza-acenaphthylene. The addition of 2.8 Nhydrochloric acid in ethanol yielded the hydrochloride as a white solid,which was collected by filtration.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ ppm 1.69 (qd, J=11.23, 8.30 Hz, 1 H)2.46 (m, 1 H) 2.75 (m, 3 H) 2.88 (m, 1 H) 3.16 (ddd, J=12.82, 10.50,6.23 Hz, 1 H) 3.43 (ddd, J=12.82, 6.23, 1.95 Hz, 1 H) 4.06 (dd, J=10.62,6.47 Hz, 1 H) 6.93 (d, J=7.32 Hz, 1 H) 7.04 (m, 1 H) 7.12 (t, J=7.32 Hz,1 H)

MS (APCI (M+H)⁺): 160

Example C

This is an example of a compound of general Formula (IV).

2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonic acid[3-(2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthy-len-3-yl)-propyl]-amidehydrochloride a)2-[3-(2,2a,4,5-Tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-isoindole1,3-dione

A mixture of 1,2,2a,3,4,5-Hexahydro-3-aza-acenaphthylene (1.1 g, 6.92mmol), N-(4-Bromopropyl)phtalimide (1.97 g, 7.33 mmol) and potassiumcarbonate (2.8 g, 20.76 mol) in dry N,N′-dimethylformamide (10 mL), wasstirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was vacuumconcentrated and the residue was dissolved in water (10 mL), extractedwith ethyl acetate (3×10 mL) and washed with water. The organic layerwas dried and evaporated to give the product (2.20 g, 92% yield).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-D6) δ ppm 1.48-1.64 (m, 1 H) 1.85 (dt, J=13.66,6.87 Hz, 2 H) 2.15-2.27 (m, 2 H) 2.27-2.38 (m, 1 H) 2.63-2.78 (m, 4 H)3.15 (dd, J=11.72, 5.86 Hz, 1 H) 3.21-3.29 (m, 1 H) 3.54-3.71 (m, 2 H)6.83 (d, J=6.88 Hz, 1 H) 6.94-7.08 (m, 2 H) 7.75-7.87 (m, J=11.57, 9.19,4.21, 2.42 Hz, 4 H)

MS (APCI (M+H)⁺): 347

b) 3-(2,2a,4,5-Tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propylaminedihydrochloride

A solution of2-[3-(2,2a,4,5-Tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-isoindole1,3-dione(2 g, 5.78 mmol) and hydrazine hydrate (2.9 g, 57.8 mol ) in ethanol (60mL) was refluxed for 1 h. The reaction mixture was cooled down andtreated with an additional amount of ethanol (30 mL) and concentratedHCl (7 mL). Then the reaction mixture was refluxed for 4 h and leftovernight in a refrigerator. The precipitate was filtered off, and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue was redissolved in water (15 ml) andmade alkaline with 25% ammonia. Then, was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×120mL), the organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄, and evaporated to dryness.The crude was dissolved in ethylacetate. A 2.8 M solution of hydrogenchloride in ethanol was then added. The precipitate formed was collectedby filtration to give the desired product (0.80 g, 64% yield) as a beigesolid .

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-D6) δ ppm 2.14 (m, 3 H) 2.63 (m, 1 H) 2.90 (m, 4H) 3.15 (m, 3 H) 3.48 (m, 2 H) 3.80 (m, 1 H) 4.59 (m, 1 H) 7.07 (d,J=7.47 Hz, 1 H) 7.16 (d, J=7.47 Hz, 1 H) 7.25 (t, J=7.47 Hz, 1 H) 8.22(s, 2 H) 10.99 (br, 1 H)

MS (APCI (M+H)⁺): 217

c) 2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonic acid[3-(2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amidehydrochloride

2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonyl chloride (24.05 mg, 0.11 mmol) wasadded to a solution of3-(2,2a,4,5-Tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propylaminedihydro-chloride (28.92 mg, 0.1 mmol) and N,N′-diisopropylethylamine(51.7 mg, 0.4 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) and the mixture was stirredovernight at room temperature. The resulting solution was washed withwater (3×10 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. The freebase was dissolved in ethyl acetate (1 ml). A 2.8 M solution of hydrogenchloride in ethanol (0.10 mL) was then added. The product wascrystallized and collected by filtration, and vacuum dried to give awhite solid (33 mg, 77%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-D6) δ ppm 1.92 (m, 4 H) 2.56 (m, 1 H) 2.83 (m, 4H) 3.09 (m, 3 H) 3.24 (m, 2 H) 3.39 (m, 1 H) 3.77 (d, J=11.13 Hz, 1 H)4.62 (m, 3 H) 6.93 (d, J=8.49 Hz, 1 H) 7.08 (d, J=7.47 Hz, 1 H) 7.17 (m,1 H) 7.26 (t, J=7.47 Hz, 1 H) 7.60 (m, 3 H) 10.27 (br, 1 H)

MS (APCI (M+H)⁺): 399

Example D

This is an example of a compound of general Formula (II) from a compoundof Formula (V).

[3-(2,2a,4,5-Tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-m-tolyl-aminea) 3-(3-Chloro-propyl)-1,2,2a,3,4,5-hexahydro-3-aza-acenaphthylene

To a solution of 1,2,2a,3,4,5-Hexahydro-3-aza-acenaphthylenehydrochloride (500 mg, 2.56 mmol) in dry N,N′-dimethylformamide (5 ml)was added NaHCO₃ (620 mg, 12.8 mmol) and 1-bromo-3-chloropropyl (420 mg,2.68 mmol) and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature.The mixture was vacuum concentrated and the residue was dissolved inwater (15 mL), extracted with ethyl acetate (3×15 mL) and washed withwater. The organic layer was dried and evaporated to give the desiredproduct (250 mg, 70% yield).

MS (APCI (M+H)⁺): 236

b)[3-(2,2a,4,5-Tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-m-tolyl-aminedihydro-chloride

To a solution of m-tolylamine (21.7 mg, 0.20 mmol) in dry DMF (2 ml) wasadded K₂CO₃ (31 mg, 0.22 mmol), Nal (33 mg, 0.22 mmol) and3-(3-Chloro-propyl)-1,2,2a,3,4,5-hexahydro-3-aza-acenaphthylene (50 mg,0.21 mmol) and the mixture was stirred overnight at 90° C. The mixturewas vacuum concentrated and the residue was dissolved in water (5 mL),extracted with ethyl acetate (3×5 mL) and washed with water. The organiclayer was dried and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethylacetate (1 ml) and 2.8 N hydrochloric acid was added. A light brownsolid precipitate, which was collected by filtration to give the desiredproduct (40 mg, 66% yield).

MS (APCI (M+H)⁺): 307

Example E

This is an example of a compound of general Formula (II) from a compoundof general Formula (IV).

Ethyl-[3-(2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-aminea)N-[3-(2,2a,4,5-Tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-acetamide

3-(2,2a,4,5-Tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propylamine (190 mg,0.88 mmol) was disolved in a vigorously stirred mixture of CH₂Cl₂ (1 ml)and NaHCO₃ (sat. solution, 1 ml). After the addition of acetic anhydride(128.4 mg, 1.26 mmol), stirring was applied for 90 min at roomtemperature. Then, the layers were separated. Water (2 ml) was added tothe bicarbonate layer and was washed with CH₂Cl₂ (2×3 ml). The combinedorganic layers were dried with Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated todryness to afford as slightly brown solid identified as the acetylatedcompound (202 mg, 90% yield).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-D6) δ ppm 1.58 (m, 3 H) 1.75 (s, 3 H) 2.17 (m, 2H) 2.36 (m, 1 H) 2.71 (m, 5 H) 3.04 (ddd, J=12.60, 6.96, 3.00 Hz, 2 H)3.16 (m, 1 H) 3.28 (m, 1 H) 6.87 (d, J=7.18 Hz, 1 H) 7.02 (m, 2 H) 7.80(br, 1 H)

MS (APCI (M+H)⁺): 259

b)Ethyl-[3-(2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amine

N-[3-(2,2a,4,5-Tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-acetamide(160 mg, 0.62 mmol) was dissolved in THF (dry, 4 ml) and added dropwiseto a suspension of 1 M LiAlH₄ (1 ml) in dry THF under argon atmosphere.The mixture was refluxed overnight. Water and 1 N NaOH was added to thecrude. The salts formed were filtered over Celite and the filtrate wasextrated with CH₂Cl₂, dried with Na₂SO₄ and evaporated in vacuo. Thecolorless oil obtained (144 mg, 95% yield) was purified by silicagelchromatography using a gradient of CH₂Cl₂/methanol.

MS (APCI (M+H)⁺): 245

The spectroscopic data for the identification of some of thesulfonamides compounds of the invention having general formula (I),prepared analogously to the methods described in the above examples, areshown in the following table 1: N⁰ STRUCTURE Autonom ¹HNMR 26 MS (APCI(M + H)⁺) 1

2-Chloro-N-[4-(2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro- 1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 405 2

2,5-Dichloro-N-[4-(2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]- benzenesulfonamide 1H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-D6) δ ppm 1.41 (m, 5 H) 2.04 (m, 1 H) 2.15 (m, 1 H) 2.30 (m, 1 H)2.54 (m, 1 H) 2.70 (m, 3 H) 2.76 (m, 1 H) 2.88 (s, 2 H) 3.08 (m, 1 H)3.24 (m, 1 H) 6.87 (d, J=7.23 Hz, 1 H) 7.00 (m, 2H) 7.65 (m, 2 H) 7.87(d, J=1.86 Hz, 1 H) 8.12 (s, 1H) 439 3

N-[4-(2,2a,4-5-Tetrahydro-1H-3-aza- acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-benzenesulfonamide 371 4

Quinoline-8-sulfonic acid[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-amide trifluoroacetate422 5

3-Methyl-N-[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3- aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-benzenesulfonamide trifluoracetate 385 6

2-Chloro-4,5-difluoro-N-[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 441 7

4-Chloro-2,5-dimethyl-N-[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 1H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-D6) δppm 1.25 (m, 1H) 1.47 (m, 2 H)1.70 (m, 2H) 1.98 (m, 1 H) 2.34 (s, 3 H) 2.51 (s, 3 H) 2.60 (m, 1 H)2.79 (q, J=6.64 Hz, 2 H) 2.88 (d, J=9.67 Hz, 2 H) 3.09 # (m, 3 H) 3.39(m, 1H) 3.77 (d, J=9.96 Hz, 1 H) 4.55 (m, 1 H) 7.08 (d, J=7.18 Hz, 1 H)7.16 (d, J=7.03 Hz, 1H) 7.26 (t, J=7.54 Hz, 1 H) 7.51 (s, 1 H) 7.76 (s,1H) 7.81 (t, J=5.86 Hz, 1 H) 10.16 (br, 1H) 433 8

3-Chloro-4-fluoro-N-[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 423 9

2,4,5-Trichloro-N-[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]- benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride473 10

5-fluoro-2-methyl-N-[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 403 11

Naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-amide 421 12

Thiophene-2-sulfonic acid[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-amide 377 13

5-Chloro-2,4-difluoro-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-benzensulfonamidehydrochloride ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-D6) δ ppm 1.97 (m, 4 H) 2.57 (m, 1H) 2.88 (m, 2 H) 3.00 (q, J=6.35 Hz, 2 H) 3.10 (m, 3 H) 3.40 (m, 1H)3.78 (m, 1 H) 4.59 (m, 1 H) 7.08 (d, J=7.47 Hz, 1 H) 7.16 # (m, 1 H)7.25 (m, 1H) 7.92 (m, 2 H) 8.36 (t, J=5.78 Hz, 1 H) 10.26 (br, 1 H) 14

2-Chloro-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]- benzensulfonamide hydrochloride 391 15

2,5-Dichloro-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]- benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride425 16

N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza- acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 357 17

2-Chloro-4,5-difluoro-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 427 18

4-Chloro-2,5-dimethyl-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 419 19

3-Chloro-4-fluoro-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 410 20

Quinoline-8-sulfonic acid[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-amide 408 21

3-Methyl-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]- benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 371 22

2,4,5-Trichloro-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]- benzenesulfonamide 459 23

5-Fluoro-2-methyl-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 389 24

Naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-amide 407 25

Thiophene-2-sulfonic acid[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-amide hydrochloride 36326

4-Fluoro-naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid[3- (2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amide hydrochloride 425 27

Biphenyl-2-sulfonic acid[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-amide hydrochloride 43328

2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonic acid[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amide hydrochloride ¹H NMR (300 MHz,DMSO-D6) δ ppm 1.92 (m, 4 H) 2.56 (m, 1 H) 2.83 (m, 4 H) 3.09 (m, 3 H)3.24 (m, 2 H) 3.39 (m, 1 H) 3.77 (d, J=11.13 Hz, 1 H) 4.62 (m, 3 H) 6.93(d, J=8.49 Hz, 1 H) 7.08 (d, # J=7.47 Hz, 1H) 7.17 (m, 1 H) 7.26 (t,J=7.47 Hz, 1 H) 7.60 (m, 3 H) 10.27 (br, 1 H) 399 29

Dibenzofuran-2-sulfonic acid[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-amide hydrochloride 44730

2-Methoxy-4-methyl-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 401 31

5-Isoxazol-5-yl-thiopene-2-sulfonicacid[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza- acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amidehydrochloride ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-D6) δ ppm 1.95 (m, 3 H) 2.56 (m, 1H) 2.86 (m, 2 H) 3.02 (m, 2 H) 3.11 (m, 3H) 3.41 (m, 2 H) 3.80 (d,J=10.74 Hz, 1H) 4.60 (m, 1 H) 7.12 (m, 3 H) 7.26 (t, J=7.45 Hz, # 1 H)7.71 (d, J=3.91 Hz, 1 H) 7.78 (d, J=3.91 Hz, 1 H) 8.34 (t, J=5.74 Hz, 1H) 8.74 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1 H) 10.31 (br, 1 H) 430 32

4-Fluoro-naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid[4- (2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-amide 439 33

Biphenyl-2-sulfonic acid[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-amide hydrochloride 44734

2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonic acid[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-amide hydrochloride 413 35

Dibenzofuran-2-sulfonic acid[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-amide hydrochloride 46136

2-Methoxy-4-methyl-N-[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]- benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 415 37

5-Isoxazol-5-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid[4-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza- acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-amidehydrochloride ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-D6) δ ppm 1.51 (m, 2 H) 1.72 (m, 2H) 1.99 (m, 1 H) 2.63 (m, 1 H) 2.88 (m, 4 H) 3.08 (m, 3 H) 3,39 (m, 2H)3.81 (m, 1 H) 4.54 (m, 1 H) 7.09 (m, 2 H) 7.16 (d, J=7.82 Hz, # 1 H)7.26 (t, J=7.47 Hz, 1 H) 7.69 (d, J=3.95 Hz, 1 H) 7.76 (d, J=3.95 Hz, 1H) 8.20 (t, J=5.71 Hz, 1H) 8.73 (d, J=2.05 Hz, 1 H) 10.18 (br, 1 H) 44438

4-Chloro-naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid[3- (2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-amide 455 39

2-Bromo-N-[3-(2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3- aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-benzenesulfonamide 435 40

4-Chloro-naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid[3- (2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amide 441 41

5-Chloro-N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-2,4-difluoro-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 501 42

2-Chloro-N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 465 43

2,5-Dichloro-N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3- yl)-butyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride 499 44

N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5 tetrahydro-1H-3-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]- benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 431 45

2-Chloro-N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-4,5-difluoro-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 501 46

4-Chloro-N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-2,5-dimethyl-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 493 47

3-Chloro-N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-4-fluoro-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 483 48

2-Bromo-N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- butyl]-benzene sulfonamidehydrochloride 509 49

N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-3- methyl-benzene sulfonamidehydrochloride 445 50

2,4,5-Trichloro-N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy- 2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-benzene sulfonamide hydrochloride 533 51

N-[4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-5- fluro-2-methyl-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 463 52

Naphtalene-1-sulfonic acid [4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza- acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-amidehydrochloride 481 53

Thiophene-2-sulfonic acid [4-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza- acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-amidehydrochloride 437 54

5-Chloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-2,4-difluoro-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 487 55

2-Chloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-benzene sulfonamidehydrochloride 451 56

2,5-Dichloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3- yl)-propyl]-benzene sulfonamidehydrochloride 485 57

N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]- benzene sulfonamide hydrochloride¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-D6) δ ppm 1.89 (m, 4 H) 2.54 (m, 1 H) 2.84 (m, 3H) 3.00 (m, 4 H) 3.41 (m, 1 H) 3.71 (m, 1 H) 3.72 (s, 3 H) 3.75 (s, 3 H)4.49 (m, 1 H) 6.77 (s, 1 H) 7.63 (m, 3 H) 7.80 (m, 3 H) 10.05 (br, 1 H)417 58

2-Chloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-4,5-difluoro-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-D6) δ ppm 1.96 (s, 4 H)2.58 (m, 1 H) 2.87 (m, 3 H) 2.99 (m, 4 H) 3.40 (m, 1 H) 3.72 (s, 3 H)3.74 (s, 3 H) 3.75 (m, 1 H) 4.49 (d, J=5.86 Hz, 1 H) 6.77 (s, 1 # H)8.01 (m, 2 H) 8.31 (t, J=5.49 Hz, 1 H) 10.20 (br, 1 H) 487 59

4-Chloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-2,5-dimethyl-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 481 60

3-Chloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphtylen-3-yl)- propyl]-4-fluoro-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 469 61

2-Bromo-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-benzene sulfonamidehydrochloride 495 62

N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-3- methyl-benzene sulfonamidehydrochloride 431 63

2,4,5-Trichloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy- 2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-benzene sulfonamide hydrochloride 521 64

N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-5- fluoro-2-methyl-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 449 65

Naphtalene-1-sulfonic acid [3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amide hydrochloride 467 66

Thiophene-2-sulfonic acid [3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amide hydrochloride 423 67

4-Fluoro-naphtalene-1-sulfonic acid [3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amide 485 68

Biphenyl-2-sulfonic acid[3-(7,8- dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amide 493 69

2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonic acid[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-amide 459 70

Dibenzofuran-2-sulfonic acid[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amide hydrochloride 507 71

N-[3-(7,8-Dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-2-methoxy-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide 461 72

5-Isoxazol-5-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-amide hydrochloride 49073

4-Chloro-naphtalene-1-sulfonic acid [3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4-5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-amide 501 74

5-Chloro-2,4-difluoro-N-[4-(2,2a,4,5- tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-butyl]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 441 75

4-Chloro-N-ethyl-2,5-dimethyl-N-[3-(2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-benzenesulfo-Namidehydrochloride 447 76

4-Chloro-N-ethyl-N-[3-(7-methoxy- 2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-2,5- dimethyl-benzensulfonamidehydrochloride 477 77

4-Chloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-N-ethyl-2,5-dimethyl-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 507 78

2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonic acid ethyl-[3-(2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]- amide hydrochloride 427 79

2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonic acid [3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-ethylamidehydrochloride 487 80

2,5-Dichloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy- 2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-N-ethyl- benzene sulfonamide hydrochloride513 81

2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonic acid [3-(7,8-dimethoxy-2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)- propyl]-m-tolyl-amidehydrochloride 549 82

2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonic acid [3-(2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-m- tolyl-amide hydrochloride 489 83

2,5-Dichloro-N-[3-(2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro- 1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-N-m-tolyl-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 515 84

2,5-Dichloro-N-[3-(7,8-dimethoxy- 2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]-N-m-tolyl- benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride575 85

4-Chloro-2,5-dimethyl-N-[3-(1-oxo- 2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]- benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 433 86

2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-sulfonic acid [3-(1-oxo-2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen-3-yl)-propyl]- amide hydrochloride 413Biological AssaysRadioligand Binding

Radioligand binding assays were performed using the Cloned HumanSerotonin Receptor, Subtype 7 (h5HT₇), expressed in CHO cells, coated onFlashplate (Basic FlashPlate Cat.: SMP200) from PerkinElmer (Cat.:6120512). The protocol assay was essentially the recommended protocol inthe Technical Data Sheet by PerkinEmer Life and Analytical Sciences. TheMass membrane protein/well was typically 12 μg and the Receptor/well wasabout 9-10 fmoles. The Flashplate were let equilibrate at roomtemperature for one hour before the addition of the components of theassay mixture. The binding buffer was: 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4,containing 10 mM MgCl₂, 0.5 mM EDTA and 0.5% BSA. The radioligand was[¹²⁵I]LSD at a final concentration of 0.82 nM. Nonspecific binding wasdetermined with 50 μM of Clozapine. The assay volume was 25 μl.TopSeal-A were applied onto Flashplate microplates and they wereincubated at room temperature for 240 minutes in darkness. Theradioactivity were quantified by liquid scintillation spectrophotometry(Wallac 1450 Microbeta Trilux) with a count delay of 4 minutes prior tocounting and a counting time of 30 seconds per well. Competition bindingdata were analyzed by using the LIGAND program (Munson and Rodbard,LIGAND: A versatile, computerized approach for characterization ofligand-binding systems. Anal. Biochem. 107: 220-239, 1980) and assayswere performed in triplicate determinations for each point. Results forrepresentative compounds are given in the table 2 below: TABLE 2COMPOUND 5-HT7 IC-50 (nM) 7 79.2 15 142.1 56 155.6 58 188.5

1. A compound of the formula I:

wherein W is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl; R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵, R^(5B), R⁶ and R⁷ are eachindependently selected from the group formed by hydrogen, substituted orunsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl,substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, —COR⁸, —C(O)OR⁸, —C(O)NR⁸R⁹,—HC═NR⁸, —CN, —OR⁸, —OC(O)R⁸, —S(O)_(t)—R⁸, —NR⁸R⁹, —NR⁸C(O)R⁹, —NO₂,—N═CR⁸R⁹ or halogen; L is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedalkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl, —COR⁸, —C(O)OR⁸, —C(O)NR⁸R⁹, —HC═NR⁸, —CN, —OR⁸, —OC(O)R⁸,—S(O)_(t)—R⁸, —NR⁸R⁹, —NR⁸C(O)R⁹, or —N═CR⁸R⁹; and wherein the pair R⁴and R^(4B) or the pair R⁵ and R^(5B) taken together may form a carbonylgroup, t is 1, 2 or 3; R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently selected fromhydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl,substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted orunsubstituted aryloxy, halogen; n is 2, 3, 4 or 5; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, isomer, prodrug or solvate thereof.
 2. A compoundaccording to claim 1 characterized in that n is 3 or
 4. 3. A compoundaccording to claim 1 characterized in that W is an aromatic groupselected from substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl, or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl.
 4. Acompound according to claim 3 characterized in that W is selected fromalkyl, alkoxy and/or halo substituted phenyl.
 5. A compound according toclaim 1 characterized in that R⁵, R^(5B), R⁶ and R⁷ are H.
 6. A compoundaccording to claim 1 characterized in that R¹, R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵and R^(5B)are H or in that R¹, R⁵ and R^(5B) are H and R⁴ and and R^(4B) takentogether form a carbonyl group.
 7. A compound according to claims 5 or 6wherein R² and R³ are alkoxy, or in that R² is alkoxy and R³ is H.
 8. Aprocess for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) or a salt,isomer or solvate thereof as claimed in any of claims 1-7, whichcomprises the coupling of a compound of Formula (II):

in which R1-R7 and n are as defined in Formula (I), with a compound ofFormula (III):

in which W is as defined in Formula (I) and X is an halogen, preferablyCl.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound asdefined in any of claims 1-7 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt,prodrug, isomer or solvate thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier, adjuvant or vehicle.
 10. A pharmaceutical composition accordingto claim 9 for oral administration.
 11. A method of manufacturing amedicament comprising combining a compound as defined in any of claims1-7 with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 12. A method of treatinga 5-HT₇ mediated disease or condition comprising administering acomposition according to claim
 11. 13. A method according to claim 12wherein the disease is sleep disorder, shift worker syndrome, jet lag,depression, seasonal affective disorder, migraine, anxiethy, psychosis,schizophrenia, pain, cognition and memory disorders, neuronaldegeneration resulting from ischemic events, cardiovascular diseases, ashypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease,spastic colon or urinary incontinence.
 14. A method for treating orpreventing a central nervous disorder comprising administering to apatient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compoundas defined in any of claims 1-7, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt,isomer, prodrug or solvate thereof.
 15. A compound according to claim 2characterized in that W is an aromatic group selected from substitutedor unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, orsubstituted or unsubstituted phenyl.
 16. A compound according to claim15 characterized in that W is selected from alkyl, alkoxy and/or halosubstituted phenyl.
 17. A compound according to claim 2 characterized inthat R⁵, R^(5B), R⁶ and R⁷ are H.
 18. A compound according to claim 3characterized in that R⁵, R^(5B), R⁶ and R⁷ are H.
 19. A compoundaccording to claim 15 characterized in that R⁵, R^(5B), R⁶ and R⁷ are H.20. A compound according to claim 14 characterized in that R⁵, R^(5B),R⁶ and R⁷ are H.
 21. A compound according to claim 16 characterized inthat R⁵, R^(5B), R⁶ and R⁷are H.
 22. A compound according to claim 2characterized in that R¹, R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵ and R^(5B) are H or in that R¹,R⁵ and R^(5B) are H and R⁴ and R^(4B) taken together form a carbonylgroup.
 23. A compound according to claim 3 characterized in that R¹, R⁴,R^(4B), R⁵ and R^(5B) are H or in that R¹, R⁵ and R^(5B) are H and R⁴and R^(4B) taken together form a carbonyl group.
 24. A compoundaccording to claim 4 characterized in that R¹, R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵ and R^(5B)are H or in that R¹, R⁵ and R^(5B) are H and R⁴ and R^(4B) takentogether form a carbonyl group.
 25. A compound according to claim 5characterized in that R¹, R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵ and R^(5B) are H or in that R¹,R⁵ and R^(5B) are H and R⁴ and R^(4B) taken together form a carbonylgroup.
 26. A compound according to claim 15 characterized in that R¹,R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵ and R^(5B) are H or in that R¹, R⁵ and R^(5B) are H andR⁴ and R^(4B) taken together form a carbonyl group.
 27. A compoundaccording to claim 16 characterized in that R¹, R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵ andR^(5B) are H or in that R¹, R⁵ and R^(5B) are H and R⁴ and R^(4B) takentogether form a carbonyl group.
 28. A compound according to claim 17characterized in that R¹, R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵ and R^(5B) are H or in that R¹,R⁵ and R^(5B) are H and R⁴ and R^(4B) taken together form a carbonylgroup.
 29. A compound according to claim 18 characterized in that R¹,R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵ and R^(5B) are H or in that R¹, R⁵ and R^(5B) are H andR⁴ and R^(4B) taken together form a carbonyl group.
 30. A compoundaccording to claim 19 characterized in that R¹, R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵ andR^(5B) are H or in that R¹, R⁵ and R^(5B) are H and R⁴ and R^(4B) takentogether form a carbonyl group.
 31. A compound according to claim 20characterized in that R¹, R⁴, R^(4B), R⁵ and R^(5B) are H or in that R¹,R⁵ and R^(5B) are H and R⁴ and R^(4B) taken together form a carbonylgroup.
 32. A compound according to claim 21 characterized in that R¹,R⁴, R^(4B), R¹ and R^(5B) are H or in that R¹, R⁵ and R^(5B) are H andR⁴ and R^(4B) taken together form a carbonyl group.
 33. A compoundaccording to claim 5 wherein R² and R³ are methoxy, or in that R² ismethoxy and R³is H.
 34. A compound according to claim 6 wherein R² andR³ are methoxy, or in that R² is methoxy and R³ is H.